Axing of trees along Baramulla-Srinagar 4-lane road causes concern

Baramulla, Jul 3: As the much-anticipated four-lane expansion of the Srinagar-Baramulla highway progresses, growing concern is emerging among locals over the environmental cost of the project, especially the large-scale felling of poplar and mulberry trees besides some Chinar trees for which there has been no visible sign of replantation efforts.

Thousands of trees have been so far axed to make way for the road widening project. However, the concerned residents say no steps have been taken so far towards fulfilling the promise of compensatory plantation. The matter has raised alarm especially at a time when north Kashmir is grappling with the rising temperatures and shrinking green cover despite being known for its moderate temperature.

What has added to the discontent is the recent construction of a narrow four-inch median at various stretches along the Srinagar-Baramulla highway, crushing hopes that a green belt or tree-lined divider would be created as part of the project. Many locals had assumed that the authorities would use the central divider as a space to restore some ecological balance by planting trees. “There seems to be no initiative from the authorities to create a green space in the middle of the road. The four-inch divider clearly indicates that no planning has been made for such an initiative,” said Bashir Ahmad, a concerned resident of Baramulla.

Earlier, the Deputy Commissioner of Baramulla had assured that the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), the executing agency for the project, would plant twice the number of trees that had been felled. However, residents say there is no sign of that pledge being fulfilled.

MLA Baramulla Javed Hassan Beig said that it is a concerning issue and had been raised during the recent board meeting also. He said there should be provision for creating green space so that the axed trees can be replanted.

“This matter has been already taken up with the authorities. The afforestation should be part of the project as thousands of trees had been axed to pave way for the four lane Srinagar-Baramulla highway,” he said.

The Srinagar-Baramulla highway, once known for its tranquil tree-lined path, now tells a different story. “In old photographs, one could see people walking under the refreshing shade of trees. The traffic was thin, and the environment was peaceful,” said Farooq Ahmad, another local.

“This four-lane project was a long-awaited development, but not at the cost of turning the area into a concrete jungle.” The impact of large-scale deforestation is being increasingly felt, especially as north Kashmir endures an unrelenting heatwave.

Residents here say the loss of green cover has exacerbated environmental stress and results in altering the local climate. With the transformation of the highway into a modern, concrete corridor, many are questioning whether development is being pursued at the expense of ecological well-being. Locals are now urging authorities to revisit the project and ensure that environmental safeguards, particularly tree replantation and the creation of green zones are implemented without further delay.